Unit 1 Art Appreciation Practice Cards

Flashcards covering the elements and principles of design, artist associations, and vocabulary from Unit 1 Art Appreciation.

Line

A fundamental element that defines direction, movement, and boundaries.

Outline

A solid line used to show the outside edge of an object, similar to cartoons and coloring books.

Implied Line

A line where no actual line is drawn, but the viewer's eye connects points created by gestures, light, or direction.

Shape

A two-dimensional area with length and width.

Geometric Shape

Regular, mathematical shapes such as circles, squares, triangles, and rectangles.

Organic Shape

Irregular shapes found in nature, such as leaves, clouds, and trees.

Positive Space

The object itself within a work of art.

Negative Space

The empty space around an object, such as the area surrounding a Rubin Vase.

Perspective

A technique used to make a flat picture look three-dimensional.

Linear Perspective

A method creating depth using parallel lines, one vanishing point, and orthogonals.

Vanishing Point

The single point in linear perspective where parallel lines appear to meet.

Orthogonals

Parallel lines used in linear perspective that lead to the vanishing point.

Atmospheric Perspective

A technique where objects farther away appear bluer, hazier, blurrier, and lighter.

Actual Texture

Texture that can be physically touched, such as tree bark, fur, or sandpaper.

Simulated Texture

An artistic representation that looks textured but is actually flat, like a photo of wood.

Complementary Colors

Colors opposite each other on the color wheel that make each other pop, such as Red—Green or Blue—Orange.

Monochromatic

An art piece using only one color but with different shades, such as light blue and dark blue.

Analogous Colors

Colors located next to each other on the color wheel, for example, blue, blue-green, and green.

Time & Motion

The creation of movement or the illusion of movement in art, such as mobile sculptures.

Unity

A principle of design where everything looks cohesive and belongs together through similar colors or shapes.

Variety

The opposite of unity, utilizing different colors, textures, and sizes to create interest.

Scale

The size of one object in relation to another object, such as a person beside a skyscraper.

Proportion

The size relationship between different parts of a single object.

Symmetrical Balance

A design where both sides are mirror images of each other, such as a butterfly or a human face.

Rhythm / Repetition

The repeating of shapes, colors, or lines to create a visual beat.

Leonardo da Vinci

Artist of the "Last Supper" known for using both linear and atmospheric perspective.

Brunelleschi

The artist who invented one-point linear perspective.

Alexander Calder

An artist known for creating mobile sculptures and exploring movement.

Jasper Johns

An artist associated with the use of complementary colors.

Mark Rothko

An artist known for monochromatic color works.